Leonard Walter Fritsche

His family moved to the Vernon, Texas area in 1928. When he became old enough, he helped his parents on the farm.

He joined the Army in 1944, during World War II, where he served as an airplane and engine mechanic in Okinawa, Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He was a member of American Legion Post 571 in Sweet Home, Texas.

On February 25, 1951, he married his wife, Mildred Louise Moerbe. They moved to Houston, Texas where he started his life long career of erecting steel buildings. He retired at the age of 72 from Southwest Galvanizing. After retirement, they moved to Sweet Home where he resumed his farming lifestyle, which included raising registered Santa Gertrudis cattle.

He is preceded in death by his son, Leonard Walter Fritsche, Jr.; stepson, Jackie Wayne Welch; parents Charlie & Hulda Fritsche; brothers Ted, Walter, Erhard, Edgar, Richard; sisters Clara, Gertrude, Elsie, Emilie, Freda; niece Verie.

Survived by loving wife of 62 years, Mildred; daughters Barbara Clifton and husband, Rob, Monica Lemire and husband, Fred; sister-in-law Dorothy Fritsche; grandchildren Celeste Fritsche, Kelley Thomas and husband, Hank, Brandon English, Crystal Clifton, Lindsey Crocker and husband, Kevin, Kimberly Duval and husband, Justin; step-grandchildren Shannon Brackett and husband, Jamie; Fred A. Lemire and wife, Loranne, Daniel Lemire and wife, Amy; great grandchildren David Fritsche, Kaylee English, Lacey Thomas, Courtney Duval, Kaitlyn Thomas; step great grandchildren Hunter Brackett, Emma Lemire, Andrew and August Lemire; niece Ethel Jane Schoppa; numerous other nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.